Putin's friend, the director, invited to the Royal Palace of Caserta, sparks controversy

More than three years after the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, in the summer of 2022, Russian artists, even the most famous and prominent, suddenly found themselves faced with a dire choice: either show loyalty to Putin and his war or condemn the invasion of Ukraine. Some remained aligned with the Kremlin, others disappeared from the scene so as not to have to publicly declare their side, and still others, these very few, condemned the aggression. Many concerts were cancelled, some theaters had to rethink their programming, events were canceled: in Europe, supporting Putin's tanks and bombs had become unthinkable. Then attention on the aligned artists faded, and for two summers they were no longer discussed. Until today.

Russian conductor Valery Gergiev is scheduled to perform a concert at the Royal Palace of Caserta on July 27, but Gergiev is notoriously close to the Russian president and supports his policies, including the reconquest of Ukrainian territories that the Kremlin claims belong to Moscow. In short, he supports the war, with the massacres and destruction that have devastated Ukraine. Julya Navalnaya, wife of Alexey Navalny, a Putin critic who died in prison last year, made this appeal, calling for the event to be canceled: "Not just a friend. And not just a supporter. But also a promoter of Putin's criminal policies, his accomplice and supporter." She then asked: "How is it possible that in the summer of 2025, three years after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, Valery Gergiev, Putin's accomplice and a person on several countries' sanctions lists, was suddenly invited to Italy to participate in a festival?"

Valery Gergiev (Ansa)

It's unclear why, but a political short circuit immediately ensued: some in the majority and some in the opposition were in favor, others in the majority and opposition were against, with Campania Governor Vincenzo de Luca caught in the middle. "Art is free and cannot be censored. Propaganda, however, is another matter. This is why the concert by Putin's friend Gergiev, desired, promoted, and paid for by the Campania Region, risks sending the wrong message," says Culture Minister Giuli. The Democratic Party and Calenda are also calling for the performance of "the Tsar's propagandist" to be canceled, but the Campania Governor is holding firm for now: "We don't intend to accept any logic of preclusion or interruption of dialogue, because this doesn't help peace," he maintains. The League agrees: "Preventing a conductor from bringing his art to our country would make us the same as those we verbally want to fight," observes Deputy Secretary Sardone.

Beyond the reasons for the inappropriate invitation, it's unclear whether the political reaction has anything to do with the upcoming regional elections in Campania, in which De Luca, who cannot be re-elected, will nevertheless play a key role.